Corey , who had been annoyed , turned around and paused , and then a faint smirk . touched his lips . He laughed lightly , adopting a careless tone . " Boss , you watched the show for so long before stepping in . That's not right , is it ? " Then he bent down to pick up the backpack he'd used as a shield , along with the books and test papers that had spilled out . Maeve frowned . One of the Silverleaf seniors exclaimed , " So you two are in this together ! " Corey declared confidently , " Can't you see she's wearing a Harrowden High School uniform ? Of course , we're on the same side . Right , boss ? " Maeve said coldly , " Shut up ! " She exclaimed inwardly , " Damn male lead , he's dragging me into this . How shameless ! " Clearly, someone had no shame . Leaning against the wall just as she had earlier , he hid in the shadows and said lazily , " Let me introduce you - this is the top girl at our school . If she says east , I don't go west . If she tells me to stand , I won't lie down . You guys dropped her ice cream . You're done for . The Silverleaf senior wore an expression of pure disbelief . " No way ! Harrowden High School has never had a female bully ! " Corey grinned , " Well , today is the day we break that rule . " Those guys were completely stunned , staring at Maeve in terror . Maeve , now unwillingly pulled into Corey's mess , let out a cold laugh . She set the bag of kabobs down on the ground . Ten minutes later , the alley was littered with groaning bodies . 06:59 Chapter 16 268 Vouchers . Corey slung his backpack over one shoulder and tucked his other hand in his pocket . " Hey , what's your name ? " Maeve ignored him , picked up the bag , and turned to leave . Corey licked his lips , intrigued . " How about we become sworn siblings ? I'll have your back from now on , in every way . " Maeve knew exactly how much weight those words carried . The Sadler family was Algolville's top wealthy family , and he was their heir . He could get practically anything he wanted . If he really set his mind to protecting someone , no one in Algolville could ever touch that person . But she didn't need it . Without even looking up , Maeve replied expressionlessly , " Sure ." Then she turned back and waved , her short skirt swaying . " After you finish your five - day tour at the detention center , we can do it . " Five minutes . police cars . the victorious fighter and the defeated ones were all hauled into Those guys wailed , " We were the ones who got beaten up . Why do you arrest us , too ? " An officer brandished his baton and snapped coldly , " You should've known better than to brawl . Stay quiet ." Only the aloof young man remained expressionless , a hint of gloom in his eyes . *** It was very late by the time Maeve returned home . Her whole family looked at her as if surprised she'd come back . An awkward silence hung in the living room . Event Marlon looked uneasy . Debra flustered , hurriedly getting up from the couch . " Mae's back! I'll make you some pasta . " ow was e Maeve could already guess what was going on . She held up the bag of kabobs and said gently , " It was my first time taking the bus home , so I got lost . Don't trouble 06:59 Chapter 16 238 Vouchers yourself , Mom . I've already eaten . Look what I brought for you ." Jasper practically leaped forward , his voice bright and excited . " Snacks ! " Maeve smiled warmly , opened the bag , handed him a fish kabob , and set the rest on the table . Then she heard Marlon sniff proudly and mutter , " We thought you'd run back to the Crowleys . You came back so late . We didn't save you any food for dinner . " Maeve had expected they'd think that . Her smile turned a little weary . " Now that I'm home , I won't leave again . Sneaking back is even less likely . " She paused , then turned to Finnick . " Finn , would you like some ? It won't taste as good if it gets cold ." Finnick's expression remained cold . He simply asked , " Where did the money come from ? " Jasper stopped eating his fish kabob . Marlon withdrew his hand that was reaching for the pork kabob . Boyce looked up from reading the evening paper on the couch . Debra paused , halfway into the kitchen . Right , Debra had only given her twenty dollars today . Where did the money for the kabobs come from ? All eyes were on Maeve , filled with suspicion . The air felt frozen . Seeing right through their real concerns , Maeve smiled faintly , " It wasn't from the Crowleys . I earned it myself ." Chapter 17